📢 Centrelink Debt? We Can Help! If you’ve been overpaid, you may need to repay it even if it wasn't your fault. Our factsheet covers: ✅ Steps to take if you have a Centrelink debt ✅ How to appeal a debt decision and much more! Download now through the 🔗 in our bio #WelfareRightsCentre #CLC

It’s been great to support local communities in Prairiewood and Marrickville over the past fortnight. We joined Dai Le MP and Jo Haylen MP at their Bring Your Bills Day and Help Hub events to support residents manage the rising cost of living. #HelpWithCentrelink #WelfareRightsCentre #CostOfLiving

This Wed 29 Oct, Welfare Rights Centre will be at the Inner West Cost of Living Help Hub at Marrickville Town Hall - Come along to get face-to-face support with Centrelink, bills, tenancy, energy, water, elder rights, employment, and more — all in one place! 📍 Marrickville Town Hall 🕘 Wed 29 Oct

NSW needs a Human Rights Act Today, Jenny Leong MP will introduce a private member’s Human Rights Bill to NSW Parliament. The model being proposed reflects long-standing laws already working well in the ACT, Victoria and Queensland — and should be referred for full community consultation.

This International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November 2025), join us for a free online sessionfor community workers and social workers supporting victims and survivors of domestic and family violence. 📅 Date: Monday 25 November 2025 🕑 Time: 2:00 – 4:00 PM 📍 Link in bio

Welfare Rights Centre will be in Prairiewood this Wednesday! Alongside a host of other services we'll be offering advice and information to people who have a problem with Centrelink. See you at Dai Le MP's Bring your Bill Day on October 22 at Prairiewood Youth and Community Centre between 10 - 2pm.

Next Week we'll be offering advice and information to those who may have a problem with Centrelink at Dai Le MP's next Bring your Bill Day on October 22 at Prairiewood Youth and Community Centre between 10 - 2pm.

Yesterday, we attended the Sydney University Law Society’s Public Interest Careers Fair. We love connecting with future lawyers and inspiring them to pursue meaningful careers in the community legal sector. Find out more about our volunteer program - buff.ly/f7GPfeY

National Carers Week 2025: 12–18 October Anyone, at any time, can become a carer. National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about the diversity of carers and their vital roles in our communities. As part of Carers Week, we’re hosting a free Carers & Centrelink Webinar: link in bio

Next week is Anti-Poverty Week Right now, people on JobSeeker & Youth Allowance are forced to choose between rent, food or medicine. Poverty isn’t inevitable it’s a policy choice. Call on the Govt to Raise the Rate to $82 a day so income support does what it should: help people through tough times.

89% of community workers surveyed, agreed that Welfare Rights Centre's training helped them to understand the social security system. "Complex concepts explained clearly and concisely. Good visuals and notes. Plenty of opportunities for questions" Find out more about our training. Link in bio

🌿 Carers Week 2025 🌿 This #CarersWeek 12-18 October, we celebrate the vital role carers play in our communities 💚 Join us for a free Carers & Centrelink Webinar 📅 Tues 14 Oct ⏰ 2–4pm AEDT 💻 Online Learn about payments, navigating Centrelink & what to do if things go wrong. Register: link in bio

Are you a law graduate ready to complete your PLT placement? Welfare Rights Centre is seeking two voluntary PLT students to join our team 2–4 days per week starting in mid-October. Find all the info here: buff.ly/yHnqgqB

Community workers are on the frontlines – and Centrelink issues are part of the job. We offer free training sessions for community workers across NSW. To make them even more accessible we publish our videos on our website. - so more people can get the help they need.

Our latest newsletter is available to view online. buff.ly/LEdE8DV If you would like to receive Welfare Rights Centre news, training calendar and updates subscribe here: buff.ly/G14e0po

Want to understand Centrelink payments for people who are caring for others? There are different Centrelink payments for people who have taken on a caring role Our free webinar 14 October 2-4 PM covers the eligibility requirements and rules. Register on our website.

We loved this feedback from a recent attendee of our free community worker training program (BTW we are just slightly smaller than TAFE 😉). We really do make a difference. We are proud that participants are getting the training they want and need. Go to our website to find out more.

✨ Meet Amelia ✨ We were so pleased to welcome Amelia to the Welfare Rights team last month as our new Administration Officer. She brings warmth, energy, and a passion for supporting people to access health care, social services, and harm reduction.

$548.5 million settlement for Robodebt trauma. What can Robodebt victims do now? 1. Ensure that your Services Australia details are up to date. 2. Register your interest with Gordon Legal for updates.🔗Link in bio. 3. Wait for the settlement to be approved and to be contacted by Services Australia.

A Vision for Justice - Let's make it real. #VisionForJustice #CLCA #WelfareRights #EconomicJustice

Yesterday the Federal Government announced a long-overdue change to social security law: debts caused by coercion, threats, or violence in the context of family and domestic violence may no longer be held against victim-survivors. #SocialSecurityJustice #EndDV #WelfareRightsCentre #EconomicJustice

Today is Wear it Purple Day – and we are celebrating at home and in the office! We love the theme Bold Voices Bright Futures – Happy 15th Anniversary! #WearItPurple #WelfareRights #Justice4All

💡 Caring for someone with a medical condition, disability, or who’s elderly? Our Carers and Centrelink factsheet explains the differences between Carer Payment and Carer Allowance, how to claim, how to appeal if your claim is rejected and more! Download it now through the 🔗 in our bio. #DSP #CLC

Join our free webinar for community workers & support staff. Learn how to ✔ Spot hidden Centrelink issues ✔ Navigate rules on residency, relationships, work & payments ✔ Avoid and challenge debts ✔ Access review and appeal processes 📅 16 September | 🕒 2-4pm AEST Online Register now: link in bio

We can now access a “hotline” to Services Australia - The Advocates Channel is helping refugee families wrongly told they must wait 4 yrs for Centrelink payments. A small but vital #RobodebtRC win. Many other reforms still need action especially on #MutualObligations #IncomeApportionment.

Robodebt docudrama to hit SBS streaming services in September www.themandarin.com.au/298157-robod...

Residency rules, evidence requirements, and financial dependence can make it hard to leave an abusive relationship. Read our Family and Domestic Violence Fact sheet now to help you navigate #FADV and #Centrelink. Link in bio 🔗 #DomesticViolence #DFV #CLC #FinancialAbuse

You can watch our most recent Community Worker Training webinar recordings on our website. Learn about different income support payments, who can access them, and watch them at a time that suits you. #Centrelink #CommunityWorkers #SocialJustice #WelfareRights #Training #ProfessionalDevelopment

We’re excited to have Zarah join us as part of her social work placement from the University of Wollongong With a strong drive to challenge inequality and create lasting social impact, Zarah is already bringing her energy and commitment to the work we do at WRC.

Supporting clients with Centrelink problems? Join our free webinar for community workers Learn to: - Spot hidden Centrelink issues - Navigate rules on residency, relationships, work & payments - Avoid and challenge debts - Access review and appeal processes 16 September | 2-4pm | Link in bio

Want to know more about ABSTUDY? This session is designed for First Nations community workers, community workers, secondary school support staff, tertiary First Nations support unit staff. Tuesday 19 August 2-4 pm AEST Register now through the link in our bio 💛

Bibha recently joined Welfare Rights Centre as a Practical Legal Trainee (PLT), bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Psychological Science. Passionate about advocacy, supporting marginalised communities, and ensuring access to legal services. We’re thrilled to have her on board! 💙

🏠 It’s Homelessness Week — and we know homelessness can be ended, but only if we invest in the solutions that work. At least 30% of the people we help are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. We must lift income support payments so people can afford rent and cover basic living costs.

Centrelink’s penalty system is broken and it’s hurting people who can least afford it. The Ombudsman has confirmed the Targeted Compliance Framework (TCF) has unlawfully cancelled payments, leaving jobseekers without income through no fault of their own. It’s time to scrap the TCF.

Running since 2014 Refugee Camp in My Neighbourhood closes its doors this week and our casework team were lucky to take part in this powerful interactive experience. They gained a confronting insight into the realities faced by refugees and asylum seekers, and the millions still waiting for safety.

Lillian had been surviving on a much lower Age Pension after receiving a small trust payment after her husband’s death— She was in real financial distress. We contacted Centrelink and within 3 days, it was fixed. Her pension was restored to the full rate. She received $15,000 in backpay.

This year our small but dedicated team helped secure over $1.77 million for clients These are not just numbers -This is money our clients rely on to survive and it was achieved by four lawyers, one intake officer, and a team of volunteers. We’re proud of the impact but we know the need is greater.

In 2024–25, we helped 1,637 people with Centrelink problems — people cut off from income, facing debts, or navigating crisis. Every call we take reflects the scale of need in our community. Demand is high and the need for social security experts is growing.

The ghost of Robodebt – Federal Court rules billions of dollars in welfare debts must be recalculated theconversation.com/the-ghost-of...

The 2025 RRR Summit left a lasting impression on Senior Solicitor Julius Golab. The opening plenary with Hugh de Kretser (AHRC) was a standout—calling for a NSW & national Human Rights Act. A rights-based approach could transform social security, moving away from punitive, ‘disentitling’ policies.

Justine, a single mum and part-time nurse, picked up some extra shifts. Months later, she was shocked by a $4,000 debt for Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy. Why? She hadn’t updated her income estimate, she thought Centrelink would pick it up automatically. See our Debt Factsheet Link in bio

Community workers are on the frontlines – and Centrelink issues are part of the job. We've trained 1,906 workers each supports an average of 8 clients per month with Centrelink issues and now 92% feel more confident helping clients with Centrelink.That’s thousands of people getting better support!

ABSTUDY is not a single payment, but a group of payments designed to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the costs of study or an Australian apprenticeship. Find out more about eligiblity and study criteria for each award. Register now through the link in our bio

It can be very distressing to receive a debt notice from Centrelink. But whatever you do don’t ignore it. You have 28 days to contact Centrelink after getting a debt notice If the debt seems wrong or unfair, get legal advice before you appeal Debts can increase once reviewed See link for debt facts

Supporting clients with Centrelink issues? Want to be able to help more effectively? Stay up to date with training on Centrelink payments and processes. Community Worker Online Training sessions coming soon: ABSTUDY, Social Security Basics, Carers & Centrelink You can register now buff.ly/J3V0n48

We are seeking a volunteer PLT student to join our team 2–3 days p/w starting in mid August. A great opportunity to experience working in a Community Legal Centre specialising in social security law. See link in bio

If you are claiming Paid Parental Leave for children born on or after 1st July 2025, there are important updates: Paid parental leave days rise from 110 to 120 days, Annual Income limits are increasing, The Australian Taxation Office will pay a 12% super on PPL payments. See link in bio

From July 1 2025 more people could be entitled the Age Pension for the first time, and some people may receive bigger payments. Here’s what’s changing: The asset cut-off point where payments start to reduce and the amount of income couples and singles can earn has increased. See link in bio

This NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of strength, vision, and legacy. We honour the resilience, leadership and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples—and the generations who have led and will continue to lead the movement for justice, equality and self-determination.

ABSTUDY is not a single payment, but a group of payments designed to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the costs of study or an Australian apprenticeship. Find out more about eligiblity and study criteria for each award. Register now through the link in our bio